A 21-YEAR-OLD disabled mother is in police custody over the death of her four-month-old baby.
The police confirmed the single mother was in their custody and being questioned at the Savusavu Police Station.
Police spokeswoman Ana Naisoro said the body of the baby was in hospital awaiting a post-mortem examination.
"Investigations are continuing as the interview continues at the station," Ms Naisoro said.
The situation has prompted a plea from the Fiji Women's Crisis Centre to the community not to condemn the woman.
FWCC co-ordinator Shamima Ali said whatever happened was tragic.
"It is happening more than what we expect but we have to look at ourselves as a society," she said.
"We have to stop condemning and putting the blame on women.
"I would like to know the man who impregnated her and whether the man ran away or if he's done anything to help the woman."
Ms Ali said men also needed to look at their behaviour in such situations.
The office of the roko tui Cakaudrove has called on families of single mothers to lend their support to their daughters who are struggling.
Roko tui Cakaudrove Ro Aca Mataitini's plea follows concerns raised with his office that the mother had bathed her baby and lay him down to sleep on the bed.
Ro Aca said the baby then turned and fell into the bucket of water his mum just bathed him in.
"Families are to be with these special mothers to help them supervise their babies especially during the infant months," he said.
"We understand that the mother had bathed the baby and put the baby to sleep on the bed.
"The baby turned and fell into the bucket of water," Ro Aca said.